Page 74 of Heartbreak Hill

Grayson took a sip and then played with the glass a bit while he formulated an answer. “I graduated from American with a degree in graphic design. I wanted to be an architect but couldn’t hack the math, which is stupid, since computers do it all for you these days. Anyway, not much math in graphic design, so I went that route and graduated. For the past few years, I’ve been at the Wold Collective, where I design ridiculously high-end, overpriced boardroom tables.”

“Like the tables with the different color inlays?”

Grayson nodded. “Different shine, inlay, wood. You name it, I design it.”

“That’s incredibly—”

“Boring? Mundane?”

“Safe,” she said. “I work in a middle school with hellions. Granted, not all of them are bad, but a handful of them give me a run for my money.”

“Did you get your degree in history?”

She smiled and nodded. “I did. I intended to go back to Arlington, but then I met Rafe and things changed.”

“I’m sorry” was all Grayson could say.

Nadia forced a smile. “I’m just happy I still have them.” She motioned toward the girls. “I can’t imagine losing the three of them. I guess if I had, I probably wouldn’t be here talking to you right now.”

He wanted to tell her not to talk like that, but he had no right. She was entitled to feel the way she had and continue to do so, without reservation.

“Tell me about him,” he prompted. “Since he’s the reason you never came back.”

Nadia laughed. “I came home,” she told him. “I just didn’t drive down your street or anything.” She looked down at her lap. “No offense, but it was love at first sight when I saw him.”

“None taken. We did the right thing by breaking up before college. Neither of us were mature enough to handle a long-distance relationship.”

Her mouth dropped open. “Hey!”

Grayson held his hands up. “I only speak the truth.”

Nadia laughed. “You’re right, but still. Anyway, he was amazing, kind, and thoughtful. The type of guy who holds the door and pulls your chair out. He was the kind of man where people say he died too young because when it came to Rafe, that’s true. He worked hard, but he never brought work home. Once he came through the door, the only people who existed for him were his family. Work could wait until themorning, was what he always said. The weekends were ours. We’d sleep in, snuggle with the girls, and then make breakfast as a family. Our lives revolved around us. I know, without a doubt, he loved me. And he worshipped those girls.” Nadia pointed toward the yard. “It wasn’t just us who lost him that day—everyone who knew him lost a son, brother, uncle, friend, coworker, neighbor. When it snowed, he’d shovel the roofs of our older neighbors’ homes, so they wouldn’t get conned out of their money, and he’d mow their lawns when they went on vacation. Weeks before he died, he was going to run an after-school program for boys who don’t have a dad at home, teaching them manners, how to tie a tie, and how to shake hands. That sort of thing. Rafe was this all-around great man who didn’t deserve this.”

Grayson’s chest tightened. If Rafe hadn’t died, someone else would have. It was just divine decree that he happened to get Rafe’s heart. At least that’s what he told himself while he sat there with Nadia, pretending. He was certain he had his answer. His new heart missed the two girls it loved dearly. Even as he sat there and watched them play, he longed to be near them, to be in the yard, basking in their presence. Grayson’s mind told his heart,This is it—a onetime visit. But even his mind knew otherwise.

“Aside from making ridiculously high-end overpriced boardroom tables, what else do you do?”

Nothing compared to your husband.Grayson had never felt like less of a man until now. If Rafe didn’t deserve to die, then Grayson didn’t deserve his heart.

“Honestly, my life is pretty mundane,” he told her. “I’m engaged. She’s not the mundane part, though.” Grayson pulled his cell phone out and brought up a picture of Reid.

“She’s beautiful. What’s her name?”

“Reid. We’re getting married next spring at the National Mall.”

“Under the cherry blossoms?”

He nodded.

“That’ll be so beautiful. You’re very lucky.”

Laughing, he pocketed his phone. “You have no idea. I almost blew it with her. Somewhere in my life, I decided being her friend was easier than admitting my feelings for her. I’m glad I woke up before it was too late.” His statement held an unbelievable amount of truth despite missing one key component. Grayson thought about asking Nadia outright if Rafe’s organs had been donated, but he already knew. There was no way two little girls could make him feel like everything was right in the world when he knew nothing about them.

Grayson was thankful when Reuben and Pearce returned. While they manned the grill and Nadia made side dishes, Grayson went down the steps and into the backyard with the girls, who were having a tea party.

“Hi,” he said as he sat down, feeling instantly at ease.

“Hi,” Gemma said quietly, while Lynnea said nothing.

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